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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Announced October 2019
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Newer Model is OM System OM-5
Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Released August 2014
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL7
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Olympus E-M5 III versus Olympus E-PL6, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are created by Olympus. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and E-PL6 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 III was launched 5 years after the E-PL6 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-M5 III matches up vs the E-PL6 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Olympus E-PL6

 E-M5 III E-PL6 
ReleasedOctober 2019August 2014Newer by 64 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 E-PL6 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PL6

 E-M5 III E-PL6 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 III features physical dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL6 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M5 III versus Olympus E-PL6 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M5 III compared to the E-PL6.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 III and E-PL6 is 80 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The image here should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 III and E-PL6.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus E-M5 III to show greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The newer E-M5 III will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography info
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
71
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL6 Street photography advice
83
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
weather proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL6 as a Sports photography camera
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (30.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery (310 per charge)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Travel photography information
Olympus E-PL6 Travel photography information
77
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
good resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery (310 CIPA)
85
provides touch focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL6 as a Landscape photography camera
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery (310 CIPA)
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging highlights
84
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic jack
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Olympus E-PL6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Olympus E-PL6
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIOlympus PEN E-PL6
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Olympus PEN E-PL6
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2019-10-17 2014-08-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII TruePic VI
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 30.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414g (0.91 lb) 325g (0.72 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 360 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $1,199 $300